Fill Fittings, Kits and Methods for Filling Compartments of Boat Engines With Lubricating Fluid

ABSTRACT

Example apparatus and methods for filling the lower units of boat engines with lubricating fluid through their top/vent holes are disclosed. A disclosed fill fitting for filling a compartment of a boat engine with a fluid includes a body, a fluid passageway and a pressure relief passageway. The body having a shaped portion, the shaped portion configured to secure the body in an opening in the compartment. The fluid passageway being defined in the body configured to direct a fluid into the compartment. The pressure relief passageway being defined in the body configured to allow gasses and fluids to escape from the compartment as a fluid is flowed into the compartment via the fluid passageway.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/928,875, which was filed on Oct. 31, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/009,615, which was filed on Apr. 14, 2020, both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to boat engines, and, more particularly, to fill fittings, kits and methods for filling the compartments of boat engines with lubricating fluid through their top/vent holes.

BACKGROUND

FIG. 1 illustrates an example lower unit 100 of a boat engine (e.g., an outboard, inboard/outboard (I/O), or sterndrive boat engine). For decades, lower units such as the lower unit 100 have been filled through their bottom drain hole 102 while using their top vent hole 104 to allow gasses and fluids to escape. Conventionally, lubricating fluid is introduced into the lower unit 100 through a tube and fitting into the bottom hole 102 until the lubricating fluid flows out of the top hole 104 through multiple pumping cycles in order to ensure the lower unit 100 is void of gasses and fluids below the top hole 104. After the lower unit 100 is filled to the top hole 104, a top hole plug 106 is placed in the top hole 104 in order to slow the flow of fluid from the bottom hole 102 once the tube and fitting have been removed from the bottom hole 102 and replaced as quickly as possible with a bottom hole plug 108. In following these conventional processes, lubricating fluid is necessarily spilled, thereby, creating waste, mess and possibly environmental damage.

Therefore, there is a need for fill fittings and methods that allow compartments of boat engines to be filled with less waste and mess.

SUMMARY

Fill fittings, kits and methods for filling compartments of boat engines through their top vent holes are disclosed. For example, fill fittings and methods for filling a lower unit and/or drive shaft compartment of a boat engine (e.g., an outboard, I/O, or sterndrive boat engine) through their top holes. Filling compartments of boat engines through their top holes in accordance with aspects of this disclosure provides an easy, reduced mess and more environmentally friendly process for changing or initially filling the lower unit with lubricating fluid (e.g., a SAE90 gear lube). Use of disclosed fill fittings and methods can reduce spilled lubricating fluid and hassle associated with filling from the lower unit's bottom drain hole. Using aspects of this disclosure, the bottom hole only needs to be used to empty the lubricating fluid. For clarity, the following disclosure will refer to filling lower units of boat engines through their top hole. However, aspects of this disclosure are applicable to top filling other compartments of boat engines and may, additionally and/or alternatively, be used to top fill other types of compartments, containers, housings, bodies, etc.

In an example, fill fitting for filling a compartment of a boat engine with a fluid includes a body, a fluid passageway and a pressure relief passageway. The body having a shaped portion, the shaped portion configured to secure the body in an opening in the compartment. The fluid passageway being defined in the body configured to direct a fluid into the compartment. The pressure relief passageway being defined in or by the body configured to allow gasses and fluids to escape from the compartment as a fluid is flowed into the compartment via the fluid passageway.

In another example, a disclosed kit for use in filling a compartment of a boat engine includes a fill fitting, a tube, and a pump. The fill fitting including a body, a fluid passageway and a pressure relief passageway. The body having a shaped portion, the shaped portion configured to secure the body in an opening in the compartment. The fluid passageway being defined in the body configured to direct a fluid into the compartment. The pressure relief passageway being defined in or by the body configured to allow gasses and fluids to escape from the compartment as a fluid is flowed into the compartment via the fluid passageway. The tube configured for coupling to the fill fitting. The pump configured to supply the fluid into the compartment via the tube and the fluid passageway.

In yet another example, a method for filling a compartment of a boat engine includes installing a fill fitting in a top hole of the compartment. The fill fitting including a body, a fluid passageway defined in the body, and a pressure relief passageway defined in or by the body. Fluid is pumped through the fluid passageway into the compartment until fluid escapes through the pressure relief passageway. In some aspects, the fluid is allowed to settle and then additional fluid is pumped into the compartment until fluid escapes through the pressure relief passageway.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an example lower unit of a boat engine.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example fill kit having an example fill fitting in accordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example fill fitting configured in accordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the example fill fitting of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the example fill fitting of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the example fill fitting of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a top cross-sectional view of the example fill fitting of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the example fill fitting of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a top cross-sectional view of the example fill fitting of FIG. 3 installed in a lower unit.

FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the example fill fitting of FIG. 3 installed in a lower unit.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another example fill fitting configured in accordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 12 is an end view of the example fill fitting of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the example fill fitting of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the example fill fitting of FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is a top cross-sectional view of the example fill fitting of FIG. 11.

FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view of the example fill fitting of FIG. 11.

FIG. 17 is a top cross-sectional view of the example fill fitting of FIG. 11 installed in a lower unit.

FIG. 18 is a side cross-sectional view of the example fill fitting of FIG. 11 installed in a lower unit.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of yet another example fill fitting configured in accordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 20 is an end view of the example fill fitting of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a top view of the example fill fitting of FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a side view of the example fill fitting of FIG. 19.

FIG. 23 is a top cross-sectional view of the example fill fitting of FIG. 19.

FIG. 24 is a side cross-sectional view of the example fill fitting of FIG. 19.

FIG. 25 is a top cross-sectional view of the example fill fitting of FIG. 19 installed in a lower unit.

FIG. 26 is a side cross-sectional view of the example fill fitting of FIG. 19 installed in a lower unit.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart of an example method for filling a lower unit of a boat engine using a fill fitting configured in accordance with aspects of this disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of this disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternate embodiments of the fill fittings and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles set forth herein.

In general, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the same or like parts. Use of terms such as up, down, top, bottom, side, end, front, back, etc. herein are used with reference to a currently considered or illustrated orientation. If they are considered with respect to another orientation, it should be understood that such terms must be correspondingly modified.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 2 illustrates an example fill kit 200 that includes an example fill fitting 202 configured in accordance with aspects of this disclosure. A tube 204 fluidly couples a pump 206 to the fill fitting 202. When the fill fitting 202 is inserted into a top hole of a lower unit (e.g., the top hole 104 of the lower unit 100) a fluid passageway defined in the fill fitting 202 allows fluid pumped via the pump 206 through the tube 204 to flow into the lower unit 100. The fill fitting 202 includes or forms a pressure relief passageway to allow gasses and fluids to escape from the lower unit 100 as fluid is pumped into the lower unit 100.

The pump 206 may be any type of fluid pump including, but not limited to, a gravity pump, a hand pump, a gear pump, a sliding vane pump, a positive displacement pump, a screw pump, a circumferential piston, a flexible impeller, a helical twisted roots pump, a piston pump a plunger pump, a flexible vane pump, a peristaltic pump, a bottle pump, a funnel, a bag pump, and a diaphragm pump.

The connection of the tube 204 to the pump 206 can be made through the use of any type of connection including, but not limited to, a flexible or stiff tube or pipe using a nipple, adhesive, barb(s), O-ring(s), a fitting having a female opening with an inside dimeter matching the outside diameter of the tube 204, female or male threads on the tube 204 that correspond to mating threads on the pump 206, a quick disconnect connector, or zip tie over the tube 204.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example fill fitting 300 configured in accordance with aspects of this disclosure. FIG. 4 is an end view of the example fill fitting 300. FIG. 5 is a top view of the example fill fitting 300. FIG. 6 is a side view of the example fill fitting 300. FIG. 7 is a top cross-sectional view of the example fill fitting 300 taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a side cross-section view of the example fill fitting 300 taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 5. The example fill fitting 300 has a body 301 having a first end 302 and a second end 304. The first end 302 is configured to be inserted into and secured in a top hole (e.g., the top hole 104 of FIG. 1). The second end 304 is distal from the first end 302 and is configured to receive a fluid via a tube (e.g., the tube 204 of FIG. 2). The fluid to be directed by and through the fill fitting 300 into a lower unit (e.g., the lower unit 100) through the top hole at the first end 302.

The fill fitting 300 has a fluid passageway 702 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) defined longitudinally in the body 301 that is configured to allow a fluid to enter the fill fitting 300 from a tube (e.g., the tube 204 of FIG. 2) through a hole 704 at the end 304, flow through the fill fitting 300, and exit through a hole 306 (see FIG. 3) at the end 302 into a lower unit. The fluid passageway 702 is dimensioned to be large enough (e.g., 0.11 square inch) to allow the free flowing of lubricating fluid from an external reservoir to a lower unit under normal operating temperatures and the expected pressures generated by a gear lube pump (e.g., the pump 206 of FIG. 2) and/or gravity.

The fill fitting 300 has a separate pressure relief passageway 802 (see FIG. 8) defined longitudinally in the body 301 that is configured to allow gasses and fluids in the lower unit to escape through an opening 804 of the pressure relief passageway 802, through the pressure relief passageway 802, and exit through an outlet or exit hole 308 (see FIG. 3) on the top of the fill fitting 300 as fluid is pumped into the lower unit via the fluid passageway 702. The cross-sectional area of the pressure relief passage 802 is selected, designed, formed, etc. to allow gasses and fluids to escape thru the pressure relief passageway 802 at a desired flow rate and a minimum operating temperature, e.g., 50 F or 40 F. The fluid passageway 702 preferably has the same or a smaller cross-sectional area than the pressure relief passageway 802, as shown in FIG. 4. Selecting cross-sectional areas in this way reduces pressurizing the inside of a lower unit, especially when the temperature of the lubricating fluid is below 50 F, at which point its viscosity begins to significantly increase. Additionally, if the fluid passageway 702 is larger than the pressure relief passageway 802, fluid can flow into the lower unit faster than it can escape through the pressure relief passageway 802, thereby, presenting the possibility of over filling or pressurizing the lower unit gear lube compartments.

The first end 302 is configured with a shaped portion 310 in the form of threads 312 to engage threads 1002 of a top hole 1004 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) to secure the fill fitting 300 in the top hole 1004. In some examples, the shaped portion 310 (i.e., the threads 312) and the threads 1002 of the top hole 1004 provide a seal between a pump system and a lower unit such that the only way for gasses and fluids to escape is through the pressure relief passageway 802. Example threads 312, 1002 are ⅜-16 or M8 threads depending on the make and model of the lower unit.

The second distal end 304 is configured with one or more barbs 314 or other connection means to receive a tube (e.g., the tube 204 of FIG. 2). In some examples, the fill fitting 300 includes members 316, 318 that extend from sides of the fill fitting 300 (e.g., wings, ridges, etc.) that allow a user to easily grasp and thread or screw the fill fitting 300 into a top hole.

An example use of the fill fitting 300 is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a top cross-sectional view of the example fill fitting 300 installed in the top hole 1004 of a lower unit 1006. FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the example fill fitting 300 installed in the top hole 1004 of the lower unit 1006. Matching threads 312 and 1002 secure the fill fitting 300 in the top hole 1004 and seal the top hole 1004 so that all escaping gasses and fluids escape through the pressure relief passageway 802. As shown in FIG. 10, the fluid passageway 702 preferably extends at least through the top hole 1004 to prevent a small space from being formed at the end of the fluid passageway 702 inside the top hole 1004 into which fluid is injected. Air pressure inside the lower unit 1006 could force fluid injected into such a space inside the top hole 1004 back through the top hole 1004 into the pressure relief passage 802 prior to the lower unit becoming filled with fluid. For similar reasons, the fluid passageway 702 preferably extends at least past and is below the pressure relief passageway 802, as shown in FIG. 10. The length of the fluid passageway 702 is dimensioned to not interfere with structures, such as a drive shaft, inside the lower unit 1006. Example dimensions for the end 302 of the fill fitting 300 are shown in FIG. 6. Other dimensions may be used, depending on application and/or make or model of boat engine.

In some examples, the pressure relief passage 802 is connected back to a supply reservoir, container, etc. of lubrication fluid so that once a lower unit is filled any excess lubricating fluid is pumped back into the reservoir, container, etc. and not wasted. In some examples, an outlet (e.g., the hole 308) of the pressure relief passageway 802 is connected to a waste collection reservoir (e.g., a container, a vessel, a jug, a bag, etc.) to capture lubricating fluid when a lower unit becomes full, thus, reducing spilled lubricating fluid. In some such scenarios, the fill fitting 300 is made to be disposable once removed from the reservoir so the reservoir can be emptied and disposed of. An example spill reservoir is configured to be large enough to capture all of the overflow lubricating fluid, thus, reducing the unintended discharge of the overflow lubricating fluid and still allow for gasses, etc. to escape. A selective membrane/filter, bubble trap or gas relief valve/vent may be used to capture liquids, but allow the escape of air and gasses.

In some examples, the fill fitting 300 has a tube attached to the fluid passageway 702 at the end 302 of the fill fitting 300. As the fill fitting 300 is fit into place in a top hole, the tube is inserted down into the bottom of the lower unit. Such an arrangement could be used to pump new lubricating fluid in at the bottom of the lower unit, raising old lubricating fluid up toward the top of the lower unit and out via the pressure relief passageway 802, allowing for seamless emptying and filling of the lower unit. While old and new lubricating fluid will mix to some extent and some old fluid would remain behind, this would normally not cause issues as it is common practice to change the lower unit lubricating fluid each year before winter storage and, thus, the old lubricating fluid is rarely heavily degraded.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an example fill fitting 1100 configured in accordance with aspects of this disclosure. FIG. 12 is an end view of the example fill fitting 1100. FIG. 13 is a top view of the example fill fitting 1100. FIG. 14 is a side view of the example fill fitting 1100. FIG. 15 is a top cross-sectional view of the example fill fitting 1100 taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is a side cross-section view of the example fill fitting 1100 taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 13. The example fill fitting 1100 has a body 1101 having a first end 1102 and a second end 1104. The first end 1102 is configured to be inserted into and secured in a top hole (e.g., the top hole 104 of FIG. 1). The second end 1104 is distal from the first end 1102 and is configured to receive a fluid via a tube (e.g., the tube 204 of FIG. 2). The fluid to be directed by and through the fill fitting 1100 into a lower unit (e.g., the lower unit 100) through the top hole at the first end 1102.

The fill fitting 1100 has a fluid passageway 1502 (see FIGS. 15 and 16) defined longitudinally in the body 1101 that is configured to allow a fluid to enter the fill fitting 1100 from a tube (e.g., the tube 204 of FIG. 2) through a hole 1504 at the end 1104, flow through the fill fitting 1100, and exit through a hole 1106 (see FIG. 11) at the end 1102 into a lower unit. The fluid passageway 1502 is dimensioned to be large enough (e.g., 0.11 square inch) to allow the free flowing of lubricating fluid from an external reservoir to a lower unit under normal operating temperatures and the expected pressures generated by a gear lube pump (e.g., the pump 206 of FIG. 2) and/or gravity.

The first end 1102 of the fill fitting 1100 is configured with a shaped portion 1108 to secure the fill fitting 1100 in a top hole and form a pressure relief passageway. The shaped portion 1108 includes threads 1110 and one or more longitudinal flutes, two of which are designated at reference numerals 1112 and 1113, defined longitudinally in the threads. When installed, the threads 1110 engage threads 1702 of a top hole 1704 in a lower unit 1706 (see FIGS. 17 and 18) to secure the fill fitting 1100 in the top hole 1704. FIG. 17 is a top cross-sectional view of the example fill fitting 1100 installed in the top hole 1704 of a lower unit 1706. FIG. 18 is a side cross-sectional view of the example fill fitting 1100 installed in the top hole 1704 of the lower unit 1706. Example threads 1110, 1704 are ⅜-16 or M8 threads depending on the make and model of a boat engine. Because the example threads 1110 do not extend all the way around the fill fitting 1100 due to the flutes 1112, 1113, when the fill fitting 1100 is securely installed into the top hole 1704, as shown in FIG. 17, it is held in place but does not seal the top hole 1704, as shown in FIG. 18. Instead, because the diameter 1202 (see FIG. 12) of the fill fitting 1100 at the bottoms of the flutes 1112, 1113 is smaller than the thread minor diameter 1204 of the threads 1110, the flutes 1112, 1113 form pressure relief passageways 1802 (see FIG. 18) that allows gasses and fluids to escape through the top hole 1704 around the fill fitting 1100.

The second distal end 1104 is configured with one or more barbs 1114 or other connection means to receive a tube (e.g., the tube 204 of FIG. 2). In some examples, the fill fitting 1100 includes members 1116, 1118 that extend from sides of the fill fitting 1100 (e.g., wings ridges, etc.) that allow a user to easily grasp and thread or screw the fill fitting 1100 into a top hole.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the fluid passageway 1502 preferably extends at least through the top hole 1704 to prevent a small space from being formed at the end of the fluid passageway 1502 inside the top hole 1704 into which fluid is injected. Air pressure inside the lower unit 1706 could force fluid injected into such a space inside the top hole 1704 back around the fill fitting 1100 and out the top hole 1704.

Recognizing that the use of threaded fill fittings may result in difficulty of use, may result in lubricating fluid being spilled as the threaded fill fitting is disengaged, removed, etc., and that an air tight seal is not needed in a top hole during filling, yet another example fill fitting 1900 (see FIGS. 19-24) relies on press fitting the fill fitting 1900 into a top hole. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an example fill fitting 1900 configured in accordance with aspects of this disclosure. FIG. 20 is an end view of the example fill fitting 1900. FIG. 21 is a top view of the example fill fitting 1900. FIG. 22 is a side view of the example fill fitting 1900. FIG. 23 is a top cross-sectional view of the example fill fitting 1900 taken along line 23-23 of FIG. 22. FIG. 24 is a side cross-section view of the example fill fitting 1900 taken along line 24-24 of FIG. 21. The example fill fitting 1900 has a body 1901 having a first end 1902 and a second end 1904. The first end 1902 is configured to be inserted into and secured in a top hole (e.g., the top hole 104 of FIG. 1). The second end 1904 is distal from the first end 1902 and is configured to receive a fluid via a tube (e.g., the tube 204 of FIG. 2). The fluid to be directed by and through the fill fitting 1900 into a lower unit (e.g., the lower unit 100) through the top hole at the first end 1902.

The fill fitting 1900 has a fluid passageway 2302 (see FIGS. 23 and 24) defined longitudinally in the body 1901 that is configured to allow a fluid to enter the fill fitting 1900 from a tube (e.g., the tube 204 of FIG. 2) through a hole 2304 at the end 1904, flow through the fill fitting 1900, and exit through a hole 1906 (see FIG. 19) at the end 1902 into a lower unit. The fluid passageway 2302 is dimensioned to be large enough (e.g., 0.11 square inch) to allow the free flowing of lubricating fluid from an external reservoir to a lower unit under normal operating temperatures and the expected pressures generated by a gear lube pump (e.g., the pump 206 of FIG. 2) and/or gravity.

The first end 1902 of the fill fitting 1900 is configured with a shaped portion 1908 to secure the fill fitting 300 in a top hole and form a pressure relief passageway. The shaped portion 1908 includes one or more longitudinal tapers, one of which is designated at reference numeral 1910. The tapers 1910 have a thickness that varies along the shaped portion 1908. In the illustrated example, the tapers are arranged symmetrically, however, they may be arranged asymmetrically when it is not necessary that the fill fitting 1900 be centered in a top hole. The tapers 1910 start at a diameter less than the thread size minor diameter of a top hole, and increase to a diameter greater than the thread size major diameter. Recognizing that the thread size minor diameter of M8 is smaller than the thread size minor diameter of ⅜-16, the fill fitting 1900 can be universal across lower unit manufacturers and sizes by including two tapers. In such examples, a taper suitable for M8 can be formed at the distal end of the fill fitting 1900, followed longitudinally by a taper suitable for ⅜-16. When press fit into a top hole 2502 of a lower unit 2504, the tapers 1910 exert a force against the top hole 2502, thereby, securing the fill fitting in the top hole 2502, as shown in FIG. 25.

An example use of the fill fitting 1900 is shown in FIGS. 25 and 26. FIG. 25 is a top cross-sectional view of the example fill fitting 1900 installed in the top hole 2502 of the lower unit 2504. FIG. 26 is a side cross-sectional view of the example fill fitting 1900 installed in the top hole 2502 of the lower unit 2504. Because the example tapers 1910 do not extend all the way around the fill fitting 1900, when the fill fitting 1900 is securely press fit into, or fit and held by hand, clip, retainer, etc. in the top hole 2502, as shown in FIG. 25, it is held in place but does not seal the top hole 2502, as shown in FIG. 26. Instead, another part 1912 of the shaped portion 1908 is not tapered. Because the diameter of the part 1912 is smaller than the thread size minor diameter of the top hole 2502, the part 1912 forms a pressure relief passageway 2602, as shown in FIG. 26, that allows gasses and fluids to escape through the top hole 2502 around the fill fitting 1900. As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the fluid passageway 2302 preferably extends at least through the top hole 2504 to prevent a small space from being formed at the end of the fluid passageway 2302 inside the top hole 1004 into which fluid is injected. Air pressure inside the lower unit 1006 could force fluid injected into such a space inside the top hole 1004 back around the fill fitting 1900 and out the top hole 2502.

The second distal end 1904 is configured with one or more barbs 1914 or other connection means to receive a tube (e.g., the tube 204 of FIG. 2). In some examples, the fill fitting 1900 includes members 1916, 1918 that extend from sides of the fill fitting 1900 (e.g., wings) that allow a user to easily grasp and thread or screw the fill fitting 1900 into a top hole.

In some examples, the tapers 1910 encircle the fill fitting 1900, thereby sealing a top hole when installed in the top hole, and are used instead of the threads 312 in the example of FIGS. 3-10.

The fill fittings disclosed herein may be formed of, for example, polypropylene, glass filled nylon, steel, aluminum, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) resin. In general, the material used to form the fill fittings is selected to be strong enough and/or flexible enough to reduce the likelihood of the fill fitting 400 being accidentally broken off during insertion or removal from the lower unit under normal operating conditions.

In some examples, a fill fitting is permanently fit into the lower unit, semi-permanently fit into the lower unit or built in to the lower unit. In such examples, the fill fitting selectively attaches to an additional fitting that allows for connection to the pump assembly to the fill fitting, and venting of gasses and fluids

FIG. 27 is a flowchart of an example method for filling a lower unit of a boat engine using a fill fitting configured in accordance with aspects of this disclosure. The example method of FIG. 27 begins with trimming a boat engine until its lower unit is a vertical as possible (block 2702) and draining, if necessary, any fluid in the lower unit using any desired method (block 2704). Install or confirm bottom drain hole plug is fully installed in bottom drain hole (block 2706).

Fully insert or install fill fitting in top hole (block 2708). For example, until dead stop on fill fitting is in contact with outside of lower unit, or end of threads are reached. When using fill fitting 300 confirm outlet 308 is pointed upwards, backing fill fitting 300 out of top hole if necessary. Attach pump to container of lubricating fluid (block 2710). Pump lubricating fluid into lower unit via fill fitting until fluid begins escaping through pressure relief passageway (block 2712). The fill fitting may be removed (block 2714). Wait (e.g., for 10 minutes) for lubricating fluid to settle within the lower unit, e.g., within and/or between sub-compartments of lower unit (block 2716). In general, settling occurs faster if the fill fitting is removed.

If removed at block 2714, the fill fitting is fully re-inserted or re-installed in top hole (block 2718). For example, until dead stop on fill fitting is in contact with outside of lower unit, or end of threads are reached. When using fill fitting 300 confirm outlet 308 is pointed upwards, backing fill fitting 300 out of top hole if necessary. Pump lubricating fluid into lower unit via fill fitting until fluid begins escaping through pressure relief passageway (block 2720). Remove fill fitting (block 2722). Install top vent hole plug in top hole (block 2724). Normal use of boat engine can resume at the completion of the method of FIG. 27.

Example fill fittings, kits and methods having various aspects in accordance with this disclosure and the included figures are disclosed herein. While the example fill fittings, usage thereof, etc. are illustrated and described herein, one or more of the aspects, configurations, dimensions, features, etc. may be combined, divided, re-arranged, omitted, eliminated or implemented in any other way. Further, a fill fitting may include more than one of any of the aspects, configurations, dimensions, features, etc. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fill fitting for filling a compartment of a boat engine with a fluid, the fill fitting comprising: a body having a shaped portion, the shaped portion configured to secure the body in an opening in the compartment; a fluid passageway defined in the body configured to direct a fluid into the compartment; and a pressure relief passageway defined in the body configured to allow gasses and fluids to escape from the compartment as a fluid is flowed into the compartment via the fluid passageway.
 2. The fill fitting of claim 1, wherein the shaped portion comprises threads to threadably secure the body in the opening.
 3. The fill fitting of claim 1, wherein the shaped portion comprises a taper configured to secure the body in the opening when the shaped portion is press fit in the opening in the compartment.
 4. The fill fitting of claim 1, wherein the pressure relief passageway includes an opening that, when the body is secured in the opening in the compartment, opens into the opening in the compartment.
 5. The fill fitting of claim 4, wherein a cross-section of an opening of the fluid passageway is less than a cross-section of the opening of the pressure relief passageway.
 6. The fill fitting of claim 1, further comprising barbs to secure a tube to the fill fitting, wherein the fluid is provided to the fluid passageway via the tube from a pump or by gravity feed.
 7. The fill fitting of claim 1, wherein, when the body is secured in the opening in the compartment, a first end of the fluid passageway extends into the compartment, the first end of the fluid passageway extends beyond a first end of the pressure relief passageway, and a second end of the pressure relief passageway is an opening defined in the body outside the compartment.
 8. A fill fitting for filling a compartment of a boat engine with a fluid, the fill fitting comprising: a body having a shaped portion, the shaped portion configured to secure the body in an opening in the compartment; a fluid passageway defined in the body configured to direct a fluid into the compartment; and a pressure relief passageway defined by the body configured to allow gasses and fluids to escape from the compartment as a fluid is flowed into the compartment via the fluid passageway.
 9. The fill fitting of claim 8, wherein the shaped portion comprises: threads to threadably secure the fill fitting in the opening; and flutes defined in the threads.
 10. The fill fitting of claim 8, wherein the shaped portion comprises a taper configured to secure the body in the opening when the shaped portion is press fit in the opening in the compartment.
 11. The fill fitting of claim 8, wherein the pressure relief passageway comprises a gap between the fill fitting and the opening in the compartment when the body is secured in the opening.
 12. The fill fitting of claim 8, further comprising barbs to secure a tube to the fill fitting, wherein the fluid is provided to the fluid passageway via the tube from a pump or by gravity feed.
 13. A kit for use in filling a compartment of a boat engine, the kit comprising: a fill fitting including: a body having a shaped portion, the shaped portion configured to secure the body in an opening in the compartment; a fluid passageway defined in the body configured to direct a fluid into the compartment; and a pressure relief passageway defined in or by the body configured to allow gasses and fluids to escape from the compartment as a fluid is flowed into the compartment via the fluid passageway; a tube configured for coupling to the fill fitting; and a pump configured to supply the fluid into the compartment via the tube and the fluid passageway.
 14. The kit of claim 13, wherein the fill fitting further includes barbs to secure the tube to the fill fitting.
 15. The kit of claim 13, wherein the shaped portion comprises threads to threadably secure the body in the opening.
 16. The kit of claim 13, wherein the shaped portion comprises a taper configured to secure the body in the opening when the shaped portion is press fit in the opening in the compartment.
 17. The kit of claim 13, wherein, when the body is secured in the opening in the compartment, a first end of the fluid passageway extends into the compartment, the first end of the fluid passageway extends beyond a first end of the pressure relief passageway, and a second end of the pressure relief passageway is an opening defined in the body outside the compartment.
 18. The kit of claim 13, wherein the shaped portion comprises: threads to threadably secure the fill fitting in the opening; and flutes defined in the threads.
 19. The kit of claim 13, wherein the shaped portion comprises a taper configured to secure the body in the opening when the shaped portion is press fit in the opening in the compartment.
 20. The kit of claim 13, wherein the pressure relief passageway comprises a gap between the fill fitting and the opening in the compartment when the body is secured in the opening. 